Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jul 12: Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro is no small feat but Chennai-based dentist and adventurer Dr Issa Fathima Jasmine did it with a striking twist. She reached the summit of Africa’s tallest peak clad in a traditional silk sari, boldly challenging conventional notions of strength, identity, and femininity.

Braving minus 14°C temperatures at 19,341 feet above sea level, Issa shed her thermal layers and stood proud in six yards of tradition complete with boots. In a symbolic gesture of resilience, she even performed push-ups at the summit.

“It wasn’t planned to be a performance,” said Issa. “I wore the sari because I wanted to carry all of me to the top not just the climber, but the woman shaped by tradition.”

The six-day trek involved trudging through freezing winds and darkness. “The world often tells us what strength should look like — tough, loud, armored. But strength can also be quiet, rooted, and wrapped in a sari,” she reflected.

A seasoned trekker who previously completed the Everest Base Camp challenge, Issa chose Kilimanjaro for its silence and symbolism. “It forced me to walk with doubt, in darkness, with no applause and still keep going.”

She packed her sari with uncertainty, unsure if she’d wear it. But standing on the summit, the answer was clear: “I didn’t have to choose between tradition and strength. I brought both and they belonged there.”

As for what lies ahead, Issa remains open. “I just want to keep showing up. Fully. Honestly. As I am.”